Microbial Ecology of Anaerobic Decomposition in Great Salt Lake

摘要

The chemical and microbial properties of anoxic sediments obtained from a Northern and Southern sampling site were compared. Similar chemical features were manifested at both sites. exp 14 C-Tracer studies at near in situ temperatures demonstrated significant microbial mineralization for exp 14 C-2-acetate, exp 14 C-U-glucose, exp 14 C-3-lactate, exp 14 C-methylmercaptan and exp 14 C-methyl-methionine. exp 14 Co sub 2 was produced from microbial mineralization of all substrates; however, exp 14 CH sub 4 was only detected from methylmercaptan and methionine (18% and 7% conversion to exp 14 CH sub 4 ). Microscopic analysis of enumeration and enrichment cultures revealed a morphologically and metabolically diverse bacterial population that proliferated in either a low or high salt medium. The properties of an anaerobic rod that produced H sub 2 /CO sub 2 , butyrate and acetate from a complex glucose-30% salts medium is described. Correlation of chemical and microbial characteristics in Great Salt Lake suggest unique features not common to anaerobic decomposition in marine or fresh water environments. (ERA citation 07:008570)